You ever wind up racing a random person on your solo ride?
07-22-18, 01:12 PM
#151
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Round these parts, we make sure we leave gas in the tank for dogs when solo.
When in a group, we just make sure we leave more gas than those around you.
When in a group, we just make sure we leave more gas than those around you.
07-22-18, 02:21 PM
#152
Senior Member
Race? Not so much...Draft--that's an entirely different matter. Nothing better than wheel-sucking someone from three to six bike lengths back, especially in a headwind. I lose all shame in headwinds, and will sometimes even draft up to two bike lengths back. 
07-22-18, 03:15 PM
#153
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Not much of a draft going on even at 2 bike lengths, but whatevs. Have fun.
07-22-18, 04:47 PM
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Some guy tried to race me on the bike path at the tail end of my ride today. I was at about threshold, came up behind him, then sat up a few lengths back waiting for a safe pass. I passed and got back up to threshold. About 15 seconds later, he shoots by. Based on his effort, I give him no more than 30 seconds at that output. He sits up at about 20 seconds and I have move over and cruise on by again. What's the point?
07-22-18, 05:12 PM
#156
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Meanwhile, the amount of bike traffic and remoteness has a big effect on what seems close, and in some conditions, six bike lengths may seem too close for comfort for some folks, but I don't see how you could call it wheelsucking if it's any more than one bike length. I've gotten yelled at for allowing such a big gap to form.
Last edited by kbarch; 07-22-18 at 05:20 PM.
07-22-18, 05:28 PM
#157
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I'm surprised you feel any advantage at that distance. At high speed, maybe a little bit around two, but six whole bike lengths? Can't imagine. Maybe it's psychological/placebo effect? I know that once I've gotten as close as I want to get, the riding gets easier, but that's because I'm no longer trying to catch up, and I've actually slowed down.
Meanwhile, the amount of bike traffic and remoteness has a big effect on what seems close, and in some conditions, six bike lengths may seem too close for comfort for some folks, but I don't see how you could call it wheelsucking if it's any more than one bike length. I've gotten yelled at for allowing such a big gap to form.
Meanwhile, the amount of bike traffic and remoteness has a big effect on what seems close, and in some conditions, six bike lengths may seem too close for comfort for some folks, but I don't see how you could call it wheelsucking if it's any more than one bike length. I've gotten yelled at for allowing such a big gap to form.
07-22-18, 05:29 PM
#158
Non omnino gravis
I ride solo almost exclusively, and can state with certainty that there is a drafting benefit even out to 7-8 bike lengths. I just look down and see what the power numbers look like when behind another rider vs. out in the wind. At 4-5 lengths and ~18-19mph, I’m looking at a general reduction of ~20W— which is significant— say 160W vs 180W. Obviously, the benefit is greater when closer, but 20 watts is 20 watts. Can’t complain about a free lunch.
07-22-18, 05:35 PM
#159
Senior Member
I'm surprised you feel any advantage at that distance. At high speed, maybe a little bit around two, but six whole bike lengths? Can't imagine. Maybe it's psychological/placebo effect? I know that once I've gotten as close as I want to get, the riding gets easier, but that's because I'm no longer trying to catch up, and I've actually slowed down.
Meanwhile, the amount of bike traffic and remoteness has a big effect on what seems close, and in some conditions, six bike lengths may seem too close for comfort for some folks, but I don't see how you could call it wheelsucking if it's any more than one bike length. I've gotten yelled at for allowing such a big gap to form.
Meanwhile, the amount of bike traffic and remoteness has a big effect on what seems close, and in some conditions, six bike lengths may seem too close for comfort for some folks, but I don't see how you could call it wheelsucking if it's any more than one bike length. I've gotten yelled at for allowing such a big gap to form.
Wheelsucking has a much more negative connotation, I agree, but you're still benefiting from someone else's work.
'Looking at our first plot, we can see that even at a following distance of 15m, there is still a 9% reduction in drag. Extending out to 20m, it tapers off to 3%, which is negligible for the purposes of gaining a noticeable performance advantage. The 12m draft zone allowed in Ironman events still appears to be within the sweet spot of “getting free speed”, which is why some pros have recently been outspoken about the impact this has on formation of a “peloton” in a sport that should remain an individual effort."
.https://triathlonmagazine.ca/feature...ect-your-bike/
07-22-18, 05:39 PM
#160
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Well, blow me down. I stand corrected. Have fun.
07-22-18, 05:39 PM
#161
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What would be the point of racing random people during a solo ride.
when I ride solo I do it to put all that crap behind.
Sometime I don’t get people.
when I ride solo I do it to put all that crap behind.
Sometime I don’t get people.
07-22-18, 06:31 PM
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Have a read. I think this may surprise you. Two bike lengths is 10 ft. Six is 30 ft. Even at 60 ft--10 bike lengths, there is still 3% reduction in drag. (see bolded part below).
Wheelsucking has a much more negative connotation, I agree, but you're still benefiting from someone else's work.
'Looking at our first plot, we can see that even at a following distance of 15m, there is still a 9% reduction in drag. Extending out to 20m, it tapers off to 3%, which is negligible for the purposes of gaining a noticeable performance advantage. The 12m draft zone allowed in Ironman events still appears to be within the sweet spot of “getting free speed”, which is why some pros have recently been outspoken about the impact this has on formation of a “peloton” in a sport that should remain an individual effort."
.https://triathlonmagazine.ca/feature...ect-your-bike/
Wheelsucking has a much more negative connotation, I agree, but you're still benefiting from someone else's work.
'Looking at our first plot, we can see that even at a following distance of 15m, there is still a 9% reduction in drag. Extending out to 20m, it tapers off to 3%, which is negligible for the purposes of gaining a noticeable performance advantage. The 12m draft zone allowed in Ironman events still appears to be within the sweet spot of “getting free speed”, which is why some pros have recently been outspoken about the impact this has on formation of a “peloton” in a sport that should remain an individual effort."
.https://triathlonmagazine.ca/feature...ect-your-bike/
Last edited by kbarch; 07-22-18 at 06:38 PM.
07-22-18, 06:55 PM
#163
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It's quite simple, really - a lot of people ride solo only as a matter of scheduling. It's not because they want to be alone, but they don't mind it, and nobody happens to be starting their rides when and where they are. Take me, for example. Yesterday, I rode forty some-odd miles, but ten miles of that was just riding to the meeting point and then back home after the others packed their bikes in their cars. As it happened, I didn't encounter any other draft-able riders during those times, but I may well have. Same thing with morning rides before work, or any ride for that matter when I don't happen to have a group ride scheduled, but I want to go out riding.
07-22-18, 07:24 PM
#164
Non omnino gravis
I did 74 miles from my doorstep to the Pacific Ocean, which included about 45 miles of the river trail. Opportunities to draft: 0. I saw about 8 people on bikes in the first 30 miles, and they were all going the other direction.
There was a couple I caught up to around Anaheim, but they were happy to pace around 15mph. The headwinds began about 15 miles from the coast and basically blew them away. I never saw them again. In that steady wind, I was praying for traffic.
There was a couple I caught up to around Anaheim, but they were happy to pace around 15mph. The headwinds began about 15 miles from the coast and basically blew them away. I never saw them again. In that steady wind, I was praying for traffic.
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07-22-18, 09:10 PM
#165
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I'm guessing you have limited free time, and a family that places demands on whatever you do have. It's quite simple, really - a lot of people ride solo only as a matter of scheduling. It's not because they want to be alone, but they don't mind it, and nobody happens to be starting their rides when and where they are. Take me, for example. Yesterday, I rode forty some-odd miles, but ten miles of that was just riding to the meeting point and then back home after the others packed their bikes in their cars. As it happened, I didn't encounter any other draft-able riders during those times, but I may well have. Same thing with morning rides before work, or any ride for that matter when I don't happen to have a group ride scheduled, but I want to go out riding.
It's quite simple, really - a lot of people ride solo only as a matter of scheduling. It's not because they want to be alone, but they don't mind it, and nobody happens to be starting their rides when and where they are. Take me, for example. Yesterday, I rode forty some-odd miles, but ten miles of that was just riding to the meeting point and then back home after the others packed their bikes in their cars. As it happened, I didn't encounter any other draft-able riders during those times, but I may well have. Same thing with morning rides before work, or any ride for that matter when I don't happen to have a group ride scheduled, but I want to go out riding.My kids are grown and out of the house. My wife has her own hobbies and she respects my bike time.
I ride alone because I am a cranky old(er) man who prefers the solitude of a long bike ride. No noise, except for the sound of the nearby waves and the rolling of my tires on the tarmac.
07-23-18, 01:38 PM
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Absolutely......I'm always looking for a bike race, while riding solo to get in my cardio workout, especially the high priced Spandex riders. Ok, so I'm getting a little help from stored electrons!
One time I was riding on a slightly downhill mountain road and came across a hard-core spandex rider going around 20mph & I asked if he wanted to race. I was curious his top speed. He looked at this old(er) rider on a heavy MTB with a smirk, & said "go for it". I went to 38-40mph and this smartass didn't even know what he was up against!
I'm riding an American designed and assembled '05 Wavecrest Tidalforce M-750X. It a rear hub (25lbs) that uses a 7 post internal sine-wave controller putting out around 1900 watts @ 59amps, with a 40.7v/11s (46.2v charged) lithium battery on a Montague Paratrooper frame. DARPA was involved in using this tech ebike for the Military.
One time I was riding on a slightly downhill mountain road and came across a hard-core spandex rider going around 20mph & I asked if he wanted to race. I was curious his top speed. He looked at this old(er) rider on a heavy MTB with a smirk, & said "go for it". I went to 38-40mph and this smartass didn't even know what he was up against!
I'm riding an American designed and assembled '05 Wavecrest Tidalforce M-750X. It a rear hub (25lbs) that uses a 7 post internal sine-wave controller putting out around 1900 watts @ 59amps, with a 40.7v/11s (46.2v charged) lithium battery on a Montague Paratrooper frame. DARPA was involved in using this tech ebike for the Military.
Last edited by kauaikit; 07-23-18 at 07:37 PM. Reason: spelling
07-23-18, 01:51 PM
#167
Hear myself getting fat
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Absolutely......I'm always looking for a bike race, while riding solo to get in my cardio workout, especially the high priced Spandex riders. Ok, so I'm getting a little help from stored electrons!
One time I was riding on a slightly downhill mountain road and came across a hard-core spandex rider going around 20mph & I asked if he wanted to race. I was curious his top speed. He looked at this old(er) rider on a heavy MTB with a smirk, & said "go for it". I went to 38-40mph and this smartass didn't even know what he was up against!
I'm riding an American designed and assembled '05 Wavecrest Tidalforce M-750X. It a rear hub (25lbs) that uses a 7 post internal sine-wave controller putting out around 1900 watts @ 59amps, with a 40.7v/11s (46.2v charged) lithium battery on a Montague Paratrooper frame. DARA was involved in using this tech ebike for the Military.
One time I was riding on a slightly downhill mountain road and came across a hard-core spandex rider going around 20mph & I asked if he wanted to race. I was curious his top speed. He looked at this old(er) rider on a heavy MTB with a smirk, & said "go for it". I went to 38-40mph and this smartass didn't even know what he was up against!
I'm riding an American designed and assembled '05 Wavecrest Tidalforce M-750X. It a rear hub (25lbs) that uses a 7 post internal sine-wave controller putting out around 1900 watts @ 59amps, with a 40.7v/11s (46.2v charged) lithium battery on a Montague Paratrooper frame. DARA was involved in using this tech ebike for the Military.
And who is DARA?
Last edited by aplcr0331; 07-23-18 at 02:03 PM.
07-23-18, 05:41 PM
#168
Duke Ulysses
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Did R600DuraAce get an E bike?
07-23-18, 05:52 PM
#169
______
Absolutely......I'm always looking for a bike race, while riding solo to get in my cardio workout, especially the high priced Spandex riders. Ok, so I'm getting a little help from stored electrons!
One time I was riding on a slightly downhill mountain road and came across a hard-core spandex rider going around 20mph & I asked if he wanted to race. I was curious his top speed. He looked at this old(er) rider on a heavy MTB with a smirk, & said "go for it". I went to 38-40mph and this smartass didn't even know what he was up against!
I'm riding an American designed and assembled '05 Wavecrest Tidalforce M-750X. It a rear hub (25lbs) that uses a 7 post internal sine-wave controller putting out around 1900 watts @ 59amps, with a 40.7v/11s (46.2v charged) lithium battery on a Montague Paratrooper frame. DARA was involved in using this tech ebike for the Military.
One time I was riding on a slightly downhill mountain road and came across a hard-core spandex rider going around 20mph & I asked if he wanted to race. I was curious his top speed. He looked at this old(er) rider on a heavy MTB with a smirk, & said "go for it". I went to 38-40mph and this smartass didn't even know what he was up against!
I'm riding an American designed and assembled '05 Wavecrest Tidalforce M-750X. It a rear hub (25lbs) that uses a 7 post internal sine-wave controller putting out around 1900 watts @ 59amps, with a 40.7v/11s (46.2v charged) lithium battery on a Montague Paratrooper frame. DARA was involved in using this tech ebike for the Military.
07-23-18, 07:52 PM
#170
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Il"logical"....if you mean I took this arrogant high priced $6k rider down a few notches, yes he cried like a little f*ck'n ***** all the way home.
Now, do you want to hear of the time I raced a punk-ass kid riding a 2 stroke motorized bicycle down the same road I ride when getting in my cardio workout?
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidalf...ectric_Bicycle
Now, do you want to hear of the time I raced a punk-ass kid riding a 2 stroke motorized bicycle down the same road I ride when getting in my cardio workout?
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidalf...ectric_Bicycle
07-23-18, 07:56 PM
#171
Senior Member
I cant tell if you're serious, or are trolling. Either way you're pretty entertaining. Carry on. I'll decide later if I've been laughing with or at you
07-23-18, 08:04 PM
#172
______
Il"logical"....if you mean I took this arrogant high priced $6k rider down a few notches, yes he cried like a little f*ck'n ***** all the way home.
Now, do you want to hear of the time I raced a punk-ass kid riding a 2 stroke motorized bicycle down the same road I ride when getting in my cardio workout?
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidalf...ectric_Bicycle
Now, do you want to hear of the time I raced a punk-ass kid riding a 2 stroke motorized bicycle down the same road I ride when getting in my cardio workout?
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidalf...ectric_Bicycle
He laughed at you too
07-23-18, 09:16 PM
#173
Senior Member
07-23-18, 09:20 PM
#174
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Show some respect
Elder rider here, been riding since the 70s. I still try to get in 15 to 20 miles rides in. Riders catching me and passing in common these days. What i can't understand is the lack of acknowledgment to fellow riders. I can be 10 to 15 miles out in the middle of nowhere at 8:00 in the morning and riders will pass me like I don't exist. Really??
07-23-18, 09:38 PM
#175
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